To test or not to

[Jesusfreak101]

Okay I have three goats all three came from farms that claim to be tb, brucellosis, cae, johnes free. I have a pregnant doe and I was thinking to get her tested for tb and brucellosis before milking began but I just found out it would be possibly up to two hundred dollars per goat.... Which is very painful for our family we don't make much and that's alot of money. I get getting them tested don't get me wrong I am just wondering if I need to since they where suppose to be free from both and non show any symptoms of being sick what would you do?

 

[Latestarter]

Ahem... There are many labs that you can send a blood sample to that will do multiple tests for under $30-40. Several testing places have been listed here in various posts. If you're not comfortable drawing the blood yourself, you could probably have the vet or vet tech do it for you. As for buying from a "tested herd", unless they showed you the test results, I'd take the statement with a grain of salt. I tested mine for CL/CAE/Johnes. I didn't test for TB or Brucellosis... I didn't test the young kids either as for some tests they have to be a minimum of 6 months old. I tested right after I got them. I had my vet send the samples off ($5 more per test) as it was easier for me. I think if I remember, my tests for all three were $35/goat. Since I didn't have to pay for packaging, ice packs, postage/shipping, it was well worth it to me to have the vet handle it.

Since you have very young children, you'll most likely be pasteurizing the milk before use in any case. I'm sure @Goat Whisperer @Southern by choice (same farm), @babsbag @frustratedearthmother or any of the dozens of other goat owners here could elaborate or you could do a thread search (Look down below in similar threads or search up top).

 

[Southern by choice]

This link is related to TB/Brucellosis- http://www.usaha.org/upload/Resolution/resolution30-2014.pdf

I would be more concerned with Johnes, and CL (Q fever in the west). They are in many goat herds and are zoonotic.
CAE is not zoonotic but not something you want in your herd either.
If you did not see proof of herd negative status then you really never know. It doesn't mean someone is trying to be deceptive... sometimes people that are not that experienced think that they tested once and that is it.
CAE should be tested for every year. CL and Johnes IMO should also be done annually. Some do every other year..etc

The TB/Brucellosis is different. Vet required with government forms.

 

[babsbag]

TB has to be done and read by your vet, they have to prick the goat under the tail and then check it 3 days later. Brucellosis you can draw blood and send it in to WADDL or CAHFS. If you don't need official documentation on that test then you don't need a vet to do it. CAHFS charges CA state residents $4.40 for the brucella test so it would be more if not in CA but not a whole lot more.

 

[Jesusfreak101]

Both where goat dairy's so more then likely they did test every year plus they are state regulated and I really haven't decide to pasterize the milk my kids have drank raw milk before. I am waiting for the vet to call me back for just two of the test. But I live in south Texas near San Antonio so unfortunately they can be expensive. Just for a prengancy blood test for two goats was close to 60. Turns out I might not have much time to get her tested she looks like she about to go she had alot of discharge last night not enough to say labor has started but enough to says she dilating.

 

[rosti]

TB has to be done and read by your vet, they have to prick the goat under the tail and then check it 3 days later. Brucellosis you can draw blood and send it in to WADDL or CAHFS. If you don't need official documentation on that test then you don't need a vet to do it. CAHFS charges CA state residents $4.40 for the brucella test so it would be more if not in CA but not a whole lot more.

I had it done through WADDL, and they required a vet’s signature on the paperwork.

 

[Latestarter]

Home - Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/

 

[babsbag]

@rosti You had the TB done or the Brucella?

 

[rosti]

Brucella

 

[babsbag]

I know that my tests had to be by a vet but I have a dairy. If I wanted to have it done "unofficially" I could, no vet needed.